Thermostat for ironing machines



'Nov. 2 1926.

W. H. HIMES THERMOSTAT FOR IRONING MACHINES Filed August 28, 1924 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

INVENTOR: Waher H. H lmes.

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY Nov.- 2 1926. 1,605,027

W. H. HIMES THERMOSTAT FOR IRONING MACHINES Filed August 28, 1924 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.4

Fig.5.

Z4 Z7 Z5 2 6 gig WITNESSES: INVENTOR Walfer H. Hirnes'.

at. .M BY

Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES I 1,605,027 PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER H. HIMES, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, -ASSIGNOR T WESTINGHOUSEELECTRIC 6; MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF YEN N SYLVANIA.

THERMOSTAT FOR IRONIN G MACHINES.

Application filed August 28, 1924. Serial No, 784,602.

This invention relates to thermostats and more particularly tothermostats applicable to ironin machines of the heated-roll type.

The object of the invention, generally a stated, is the provision of athermostat that shall be simple and efiicient in operation and readilyand economically manufactured.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide for the automaticregulation of 10 the temperature of an ironing machine to maintain asuitable temperature for the performance of ironing operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the changing of thelimits of i5 variation in temperature of an ironing machine in order tomeet different ironing conditions.

Another object of the invention is to facilitate the setting of thethermostat to maintain the temperature between predetermined limits.

Other objects of the invention .will, in part, be obvious and in partappear hereinafter. The invention accordingly is disclosed in theembodiment thereof, shown in the accompanying drawings, and comprisesthe features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement ofparts, that will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter setforth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in theappended claims.

For a more full understanding of the nature and objects of theinvention, reference may be had to the detailed description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in whichv Figure 1 is a frontelevation showing an embodiment of the thermostat in accordance withthis invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the thermostat showing details ofconstruction. I

Fig. 3 is an end elevation parts being broken away to show features ofconstruction, and

Fig. 4: is a diagram showing the electrical connections of thethermostat.

Referring now to the drawing, 10 designates generally a heated roll ofan ironing machine of the roll type. Inthis particular construction, theroll is heated by means of an electric element 11 located therein, butit Will be readily undertood that gas 55 burners or any other suitableheating means "be mounted in a similar manner and the lflOliOW axle usedas a supply pipe for the The control of the amount of heat delivered bythe element 11 may be accomplished in a number of ways. In thisembodiment of the invention, the element is made in sections, such as 12and 13 and each section is connected independently across the source ofsupply of electric energy so that the number of energized sections maybe varied. In designing these sections, the main section 12 is made ofsufiicient capacity to maintain the roll at any desired ironingtemperature when the machine is idling, while the section 13 is given acapacity suflicient tosupply the heat given up during an ironingoperation.

In order to maintain the roll 10, within predetermined limits oftemperature, a thermostat, shown generally at 14, is provided toautomatically cut the section 13 of the heating element into and out ofthe supply circuit. Y

As shown, the heated rolls. 10 and a movable member 15 constitute thethermo-couple of the thermostat 14. Ordinarily, in the construction ofironing rolls, the length of the roll is much greater than the diameter,consequently, the variations in length, due

to changes in temperature, are much more pronounced than the variationsin diameter.

Accordingly, the movable member 15 is disosed at the end of the roll asshown in igs. 1 and 2.

Since the changes in length of the ironing roll, caused by variations intemperature, within the limits required for ironing purposes, is notVery great, it is preferable to locate, at the end of the roll oppositethe movable member 15, a stop, made of some material that is not subjectto changes in size under the influence of heat within the range ofironing temperatures. In this manner, the end of the movable member 15in contact with the roll will be given a move-' 'ment equal to thechange in length of the roll.

As' will 'now be observed, the movable member includes an elongatedmember or arm having a lug 16 formed thereon. This lug is 'ivotallyconnected to a projection 17 formed on. the casing 18 provided to carrycontact plates to be described hereinafter. In this manner, the arm issupported in a substantially vertical position.

In order to magnify the movement of the lower .end of the arm, ascompared with the movement of the upper end Which is disosed adjacent tothe end of the roll 10, the ug 16 is off set from the arm and locatedonly a short distance below the point of contact with the roll 10. Witha view to reducing the wear at the point of contact to a minimum,aroller 18 is mounted on the upper end of the arm to engage the roll 10.

. An annular track 19 is provided on the end of the roll 10 to beengaged by the roller 18. Since it is desired that the arm may beoperated on] on changes in length of the roll, the trac 19 is sodisposed that its face lies in a plane at right angles to the axis ofthe roll. I v

The track may be formed by machimng the end of a roll to obtain thedesired surface, or by constructing the track as a separate unit andattaching it to the roll in any suitable manner such, for example, as bythe use of screws.

It will be readily understood that the upper end of the-arm may beso-shaped that the roller 18 may properly engage the track 19. It willalso be noted that the roller 18 is retained continually in engagementwith the track by means of a spring 20, connected between the frame 36and the arm and located below the pivot point of the latter.

The frame 18, previously referred to, includes a base 22, the edges ofwhich are provided with an upturned flange on three sides, giving theframe substantially the appearance of a box. A plurality of holes 23 areprovided in the base 22 for the reception of screws or bolts which maybe utilized to attach the structure to the ironing-machine frame.

In order to utilize the movement of the member 15, to control the heatdelivered by the electric heating element, a motor-driven switch isprovided, the switch being connected in the supply circuit of section13. The operation of the motor is controlled through the closing of themotor circuit by the movement of the arm 15 and the breaking of thecircuit through the operation of the switch.

Contact members 24 and 25, which are employed in closing the motorcircuit, are mounted on an insulation block 21 by means of screws26,which also constitute bindingposts for the reception of conductors.

' As shown in Figs. 1 and 3,'the contact ment of the contact intemperature.

plates 24 and 25 are disposed in spaced relation and have locatedbetween them a contact plate 27 carried by the movable member or arm 15.As will be noted, the contact plate 27 isinsulated from the arm by meansof an insulating member 28, made of suitable material, such as micarta.

The plates 24 and 25 are preferably set in the desired spaced relationin the shop where the thermostat is constructed. This may beaccomplished by measurin the movelate 27'and t 1e changes When such datahas been obtained, the variation temperature that is permissible withoutinterference with the ironing operation, is determined, and the platesset accordingly.

I In some cases, it may be necessary to vary the limits of thetemperature at which the thermostat operates. Accordingly, theinsulation block 21 is slidably mounted in the frame 18.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, a bolt 29, threaded at one end, is rotatablymounted in opposite portions of the flange, forming a part of the frame18. This bolt extends through an opening provided in the block 21, andthe threaded end engages a nut 30. It will be noted that a notch isprovided in the side of the block 21 for the reception of the nut 30 andin this manner the nut is held against rotation where the bolt isrotated.

Interposed between the portion of the flange adjacent the head of thebolt 29 and the block 21, is a spring 31-which serves to .retain theblock pressed firmly against the nut 30. It will be readily understood.that, when the bolt'is operated to move the nut 30 to the left, thespring will function to move the block 21 in the same direct-ion,maintaining it in contact with the nut. When the 'bolt is operated tomove the nut to the right,

the spring 31- is compressed.

Since it may be desired to adjust the contact members 24 and 25 at will,the bolt 29 is provided with a head 29 suitable for its manualoperation. In this particular construction, the head simulates a wingnut and is, therefore, suitable for manual operation in]; for operationby means of a wrench or the In order to avoid breaking or bending theplates 24 and 25 or the arm 15 because of an excessive movement of thelatter, the insulating member 28 may be of flexible material, such asmicarta. Further, when the arm 15 swings to the right, as show in Fig.1, the resilient mounting of the bl 21 affords an additional measure ofsafety.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the section 12 of the heatingelement is connected across the line 32' and the supply of electricalenergy is controlled by means of the switch 33 inserted in the line. Thesection 13 of the heating element is also connected across the line 32and has a two-way switch, shown generally at 34 and disposed between itand the line.

The switch 34 is of a four-pole type, provided with a rotatable armdisposed simultaneously with pairs of diametrically opposite poles. Itwill be noted that two adja cent poles are connected to one terminal ofthe line, while the other two poles are connected, respectively, to theplates 24 and 25. The pole of the switch which is connected to the plate2. is also connected to the section 13 of the heating element. A motor35, provided to operate the switch 34, is connected between one terminalof the line 32 and the plate 27.

Assuming that the ironing machine is idle and the roll 11 cold, then themember 27 will be in contact with. the contact plate 25. Upon theclosing of the switch 33, electrical energy is supplied to section 12 ofthe heating element. Current also flows through the switch 34:, contactplate 25, plate 27, motor 35 and back to the line. The motor being thusenergized, operates and moves the switch one step forward to connect thesection 13 of the heating element across the line. Then, the heatingelement operates at full capacit until the ironing roll 11 is raised toa desired ironing temperature.

Since the section 12 is of suflicient capacity to maintain the roll at adesired ironing temperature when the machine is idle, the two sectionsbeing in operation, tend to raise the temperature above a predeterminedlimit. As the roll 11 is heated, it expands, operating the arm 15 toswing the plate 27 into contact with the plate 24. In this man ner, themotor is again energized and operates to move the switch another stepand thus disconnect the section 13 of the heating element from the line.

If now, the articles to be ironed are fed into the machine, the rollgives up a certain amount of heat. This causes the rollto contract, andpermits the lower end of the arm 15 to swing to the right, under theinfluence of the spring 31, thus throwing the plate 27 into contact withthe plate 25. The motor is again energized to move the switch anotherstep to connect the section 13 of the heating element across the line32. The two sections of the heating element are thus brought intooperation to maintain the desired ironing temperature during the ironing operation.

If it is found that the limits of temperature at which thethermostatfunctions are not suitable to meet the existing ironingconditions, they may be adjusted at will, by the manipulation of thebolt 29. The plates 24.- and 25 may also be adjusted relative to 7 oneanother to vary the range of .ironing temperatures.

The applicant does not desire to limit himself to the use of electricheating elements for heating the roll. It will be readil understood bythose skilled in the art that a heat-controlled device of the characterdescribed may be utilized for controlling a sectional gas heater or thelike.

A thermostat of this type may also-beadapted to control the supply ofgas to a single burner.

lrVhile the illustrated example const tuted a particular embodiment ofmy invention, I do not limit myself strictly to the exact details hereinillustrated, since manifestly the same can be considerably variedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention, as

set forth in the appended claims. I claim as my invention:

1. In a thermostat, in combination, a rotatable member adapted to beheated, and means for controlling temperatures disposed for operating bythe rotatable member 'asfunction at different predeterminedtemperatures.

3. In a thermostat for ironing machines, in combination, a rotatableironing member adapted to be heated and a movable switch member disposedto engage the rotatable member, said rotatable member being adapted tooperate the movable switch member as it expands and contracts uponchanges in temperature.

4. In a thermostat, in combination, a plurality of cooperative members,comprising a rotatable member adapted to be heated, and a second memberdisposed to engage the rotatable member, one of said members beingmovable as the rotatable member'expands and contracts, and meansactuated by the movable member to control the temperature of therotatable member.

5. In a thermostat for ironing machines, incombination, a rotatableironing member and means disposed for operation by the ironing member asit expands and contracts to automatically control the changes intemperature of the ironing member.

6. A thermostat comprising, in combination, a rotatable member adaptedto be heated and a member mounted to engage one end of said rotatablemember, said member being disposed for movement as the rotatable memberexpands and contracts upon changes in temperature, and means operable bysaid movable member to control the temperature of the ironing member.

7. A thermostat comprising, in combination, a rotatable member adaptedto be heated and a movable member disposed to engage the rotatablemember, said rotatable member being adapted to eflz'ect'the operation ofthe movable member as it expands and contracts upon changes intemperature, and means operable by said movable mem ber to control thetemperature of the ironing member, said means bein adapted to maintainthe temperature Wlfillfl predetermined limits.

8. In a thermostat for ironing machines, in combination, a rotatableheated ironing roll, -means disposed to ride on an end of the roll andmovable as the roll expands and contracts upon changes in temperature,and means actuated by said movable means to control automatically thetemperature of I the roll. I

9. In a thermostat for ironing machines, in combination, a rotatableheated roll, a track carried by the roll, means disposed to ride on thetrack and movable as the roll expands and contracts upon changes intemperature, and means actuated by said movable means to "controlautomatically the temperature of the roll.

10. In a thermostat for ironing machines,

' in combination, a rotatable heated roll, a

track mounted on one end of the roll and disposed for movement as theroll expands and contracts upon changes in temperature,

means disposed to ride on said track, and

means actuated by said track engaging means to control automatically thetemperature of the roll.

11. A thermostat for ironing machines comprising, in combination, arotatable heated roll and a movable arm disposed to ride on one end ofthe roll, thereby to eflect movement of the arm as the roll expands andcontracts upon changes in temperature, said roll having a track providedon one end to be engaged by said arm, said arm being provided with aroller adapted to ride on the track, and means operated by said arm tocontrol the heating of the roll.

12. A thermostat for ironing machines comprising, in combination, arotatable heated roll, a pivoted arm disposed to ride on the roll, meanscooperative to retain the arm in engagement with said roll as it expandsand contracts upon changes in temperature, and means operated by the armto control the heating of the roll.

13. A thermostat for ironing machines comprising, in combination, arotatable heated roll, a pivoted arm disposed to ride on the roll, meanscooperative to retain the.

arm in engagement with said roll as it expands and contracts uponchanges in temperature, and means operated by the arm to control theheating of the roll, said control means being adapted to functionuponpredetermined changes in temperature.

14. A thermostat for ironing machines comprising, in combination, arotatable ironing member adapted to be heated, a pivoted memberdisposedto engage'the ironmg member, said ironing member being adapted tooscillate said pivoted member as it expands and contracts upon changesin temperature, means to control the heating of the ironing member, andmeans cooperating withsaid pivoted member to efi'ect the operation ofsaid control means.

15. In a thermostat for ironing machines, 1n combmatlon, a rotatablelronmg member adapted to be heated, a pivoted member disposed to engagethe end of the ironing member, and a track provided on the end of theironing member to receive said pivoted member, said track presenting aface extending in a plane at right angles to its axis of rotation.

16. In a thermostat for ironing machines, in combination, a rotatableironing member adapted to be heated, a pivoted member disposed to engagethe end of the ironing member, and a track provided on the end of theironing member to be engaged by said pivoted member, said trackpresentlng a face extending in a plane at right angles to its axis ofrotation, said pivoted member being provided with a roller disposed toride on said track.

17. In a thermostat for ironing machines,

in combination, a rotatable member adapted to be heated, a pivotedmember disposed for oscillation by the rotatable member as it expandsand contracts upon changes in temperature, a motor-operated switchadapted to control the heating of the rotatable member, spaced contactmembers connected in the motor circuit, and a contact plate carried bythe pivoted member disposed between said contact members to close themotor circuit as the pivoted member oscillates upon changes intemperature, said contact members being movable as a unit to vary thelimits of temperature at which said motor circuit is closed.

19. In a thermostat for ironing machines, in combination, a rotatablemember adapted to be heated, a pivoted member disposed for oscillationby the rotatable member as it expands and contracts upon changes intemperature, a motor-operated switch adapted to control the heating ofthe rotatable member, spaced contact members connected in the motorcircuit, and a contact plate carried by the pivoted member disposedbetween said contact members to close the motor circuit as the pivotedmember oscillates upon changes in temperature, said contact membersbeing movable relative to one another whereby the range of temperaturesof the ironing member may be varied.

-20. In a thermostat for ironing machines, in combination, a rotatablemember adapted to be heated, a pivoted member disposed for oscillationby the rotatable member as it expands and contracts upon changes intemperature, a motor-operated switch adapted to control the heating ofthe rotatable member, spaced contact members connected in the motorcircuit, and a contact plate carried by the pivoted member disposedbetween said contact members to close the motor circuit as the pivotedmember oscillates upon changes in temperature, said contact membersbeing adjustable relative to one another and in fixed relation to varythe limits of temperature of the ironing member.

21. In a thermostat for ironing machines, in combination, a rotatablemember adapted to be heated, a pivoted member disposed for oscillationby the rotatable member as it expands and contracts upon changes intem-' perature, a motor-operated switch adapted to control the heatingof the rotatable member, spaced contact members connected in tween saidcontact members to close the motor circuit as the pivoted memberoscillates upon changesin temperature, and an adjustable block adaptedto carry said contact members whereby said contact members may be movedto vary the limits of temperature of the ironing members.

22. In a thermostat for ironing machines, in combination, a rotatablemember adapted to be heated, a pivoted member disposed for oscillationby the rotatable member as it expands and contracts upon changes intemperature, a motor-operated switch adapted to control the heating ofthe rotatable member, spaced contact members connected in the motorcircuit, and a contact plate carried by the pivoted member disposedbetween said contact members to close the motor circuit as the pivotedmember oscillates upon changes in temperature, and an ad- 'justableblock adapted to carry said contact members whereby said contact membersmay be moved to vary the limits of temperature of the ironing members,said contact members being adjustable relative to one another on saidblock to vary the range of temperatures of the ironing members.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 14th dayof August, 1924.

WALTER H. HIMES.

